For no other reason than it has been a while, we will open today with a DT pic.

It is another beautiful day in paradise, so why not?
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HOOPS AT HARVARD

Hoops back at it tonight with a game in Cambridge, Mass., vs. Harvard.

In years past this would have been a chance for a non-con win for the Owls, but coach Tommy Amaker has made Harvard basketball relevant for the first time, well, ever, it seems.

The Crimson are ranked for the first time (in one poll at least -- No. 25 in ESPN/USA Today) and coming off a season where they shared a piece of the Ivy League title for the first time since the Ivy was created in 1956.

The game is getting pretty good buzz back in Boston not just because of the Harvard’s sudden status as a top 25 team, but also that tonight is the homecoming of Cambridge native and longtime Boston area coach Mike Jarvis.

Here is a headline that will make the skins of residents of Owl Country crawl: “FIU coach Mike Jarvis returns to his roots: Harvard”

The full article from the Boston Globe IS HERE, with the correct headline.

Jarvis is not shy about using the “poor me” card when talking about FAU. Here is what he told the Globe:

“This is probably the least-funded program I’ve ever coached at,’’ he said. “So it’s going to take a little bit longer than say a place like St. John’s , where they can just call the Vatican if they want more money, or GW, where they never, ever worried about spending money, they knew they had to spend money to make money. And BU, money was never a problem. Money’s a problem here. So it means we’ve got to be a little more resourceful and take a little more time.’’

Note the dig that GW “knew they had to spend money to make money.”

BEST DRIBBLER IN THE LAND?

Best best ballhandler in college basketball?

Accoriding to a guy at Dime, it is FAU’s Ray Taylor.

And offers up this mix tape of a lot of Taylor’s moves as proof.
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Probably about 100 more moves than necessary, but you get the idea.

Hopefully Taylor can help lead the Owls to an upset over Harvard. It is the last chance of the season for a big win, as there is just Sienna and the Belt teams coming after this game.

Comments

I think the reason he keeps bringing it up (and rightfully so) is because the school has dumped truckloads of money into the football program and doesn't have a winner. In his time at FAU, he hasn't seen a winning football team but he has seen them get money spent on them. Bottom line, it is far cheaper to spend money on a basketball team and the returns on investment are far greater and I think that is what he is trying to say in a back-door kinda way.

I've heard in this very blog about making us the "Bosie State of the east" in football which, sounds kinda ridiculous when you think about it but making us the "Gonzaga of the east" is very doable with Coach Jarvis and some intelligent spending.

While I agree that coach J. has done a good job at FAU, I also feel it's counterproductive to complain all the time about the budget. He knew this when he took the job. Now coach, let's get to the NCAA tournament and then complain all you want. Who knows, you might get an offer or two from a program with large pockets. As you previously stated Ted, at this very moment at FAU, it is what it is. Resident Owls all hope this athletic program come to fruition and its fan base and budget continues to grow. Time will tell. Coach Pelini is working hard at it, so who knows; we might become a legitimate mid-major/BCS buster in the near future in B-ball and football. Go Owls!

Jarvis's contract now sits with FAU lawyers and Jarvis's agent. Angelos made a recommendation on what he thought the salary should be, and now it is being negotiated.
Not sure why Jarvis likes to complain about his budget. He mainly does it when dealing with out-of-town media, and it seems he uses it to bolster his case for what he has done at FAU, as in, "Duke's catering budget is bigger than our recruiting budget, but I have still been able to build a winner."
But it wasn't like he got sandbagged when he came. FAU's budget has always been tight, and he knew that when he walked in. It is like going for an interview at a place where they direct you to an out-house when you have to take a pee, and then you take the job and complain that you have to use an out-house.
It is what it is.
/ ted

As much as I love what Jarvis has done here, what good does complaining about the resources do him? I agree that the athletic department should do more and help him, but generating more revenue is kind of on him, is it not?Either with donors or just flat out winning more and selling more tickets.

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About the author

DIETER KURTENBACH a Chicago native and 2010 Missouri School of Journalism graduate, has covered Missouri Tigers athletics for KCOU radio and the Columbia Missourian, Major League Soccer for Comcast SportsNet-Chicago, and lunch orders for ESPN Radio-Chicago. Kurtenbach was part of the Missourian team that earned first place in "Breaking News" at the 2010 Associated Press Sports Editors awards, but his real passion is his constant quest to find the world’s best sandwich – if you have a tip, don’t hesitate to send it his way.